Baby It’s Cold Outside

Brrr. Calgary has had its first snowfall of the season. Not a lot of snow can fall in an hour but with a high wind, it looked ugly. And the roads got slippery fairly quickly.

For those of you who are wondering, no I don’t live in an igloo. Yes my car has an electric plug in on the front but it’s not an electric car. The plug is connected to a block heater. When it gets -40F cars freeze if they’re parked outside for hours without being started. Yes I drive across the city every day to work (it takes about 45 minutes) – in these temperatures, whether it’s snowing or not.

No I don’t ski. I never did understand why any rational person would strap slippery pieces of wood on to their feet then careen down a mountain side in the freezing cold. I’m more of a curl up with a good book by the fire type of gal.

I hate professional hockey. Loathe, abhor and detest it. ‘nuff said.

I love Canadian football, even when it’s played in the snow. After all, I can sit at home or in
a toasty warm pub and cheer for my favorite team – the Calgary Stampeders.

The upside to winter in Calgary? I live about 90 minutes from the Rocky Mountains. Because of the geography, Calgary gets Chinook winds fairly often. Think the Santa Ana winds in California. These are lovely and warm and can raise the temperature from well below zero to forty or fifty degrees in the course of a day. The snow melts and the air is soft and spring-like. For a day or two.

At least until the next storm blows in again.

18 Comments

Hi, Louise! I live just due south of you, right north of Salt Lake City! I also live right next to the Rocky Mountains, but I don’t think those winds come our way, because once the cold sets in here, it just stays forever. But, in any case, I loved the rest of your post and agree with the concept of curling up by a roaring fire and never moving through the long winter. I often tell my hubby that I wish humans could hibernate. I would go into my room in October and not come out again until April! Anyway, fun to “meet” you.

Susannah, hibernation sounds like a great idea. how was last winter in your area? we had more %^&%$# snow. it fell all the time. yuck. by the way, I worked, in Calgary for both LDS hospital in SLC and the hospital in Ogden. I provided after care for alberta kids who went to adolescent drug treatment in those two centers. Love, love, love the craft/quilt store by temple square. amazingingly beautiful work.

I’m so sorry to be late to the party Louise! Please accept my most humble apology.

I have never been as far east in Canada as Calgary (Canmore), but I have had the privilege of touring your most majestic Rocky Mountains! There can be no doubt that they tower over Colorado in their beauty!!!!!

We started out in Baniff, then proceeded to Lake Louise and traveled as far north as Jasper. My husband and I have traveled to many places, but nothing can compare to that area!

Funny that you mention the Chinook winds. We were told about that when we were there. Thank God for those eh Louise? It must feel good to warm those bones every once in a while during the long winter!

Thank you for your post! And thank you so much for all your support! 🙂

Thx for stopping by Karen – never too late. WE’re all busy trying to keep up to Kristen’s class I can’t compare the Cdn rockies with those in Colorado, but ours are fairly spectacular. and the skiing is amazing. Did you fly in to Banff? The tour you mentioned is an excellent one for site seeing and being in awe of the splendor of nature. Glad to know you’ve been close. The Chinook winds are amazing. You stand in side and the trees are bent over from the wind. Then you go out and it’s lovely and warm albeit windy 🙂 Be well.

you only forget to plug in your car once. Or you buy a remote car starter and let it run for 20 mins so it doesn’t need plugging in. I don’t mind living so far north. but the snow and cold can be rather limiting.

I always wanted to be a mountain man when I grew up. After a few visits to the Rockies I decided I only wanted to be one in the summer. I don’t think I could ever live that far north. I would forget to plug in the electric plug in thing, be without a car, and freeze to death. And I too can not stand to watch hockey!

I used to love winter and snow when I was younger. I still think snow is pretty, but now i don’t like when it gets cold–my nose and fingers are forever cold!!! 🙂
The photo of the snowy trees is beautiful though!

I’m not a big fan of snow, but moved to Colorado a year ago. We had a mild winter last year, but have had three snows so far this year. Mother Nature gave me a break last year, but my “break-in” period I believe is over. Fortunately for all the other drivers, I stay at home with my son, so I’m not out on the road. (I tried to follow you on Twitter, but your button took me to @yourlink in Chicago, IL. Is that you?)

Stacy, lucky for you that nature gave you a reprieve. Last year was one of the snowiest we’ve ever had. I live alone and I became an expert on getting the snow up and over the piles on the side of my double driveway It’s going to get cold here tonight but very little snow yet.

thanks for the info on my twitter button. when I press it, it goes to my website then on to that other site. So I’ll take it down and see if I can figure out what’s going on. Very weird – it’s like it was hijacked or something.

Louise, I love this post. I’ve never been to Calgary. I’m originally from western Pennsylvania and the years I spent growing up there were plenty of cold and snow for me. It’s nice to get a peek into the seasons and climates of other places. I’m glad that the Chinook gives you some warm days!
I agree about skiing. My husband and his family absolutely love to ski, and the whole idea just sounds completely crazy. I’m not coordinated enough to strap sticks to my feet and go flying down a hill. And aside from snowball fights and a brief sled-riding excursion, I don’t understand why anyone would want to spend prolonged periods of time in the freezing cold. I’m with you. Curling up with a good book and a hot pot of tea in front of a roaring fire sounds much more appealing!

Janelle, obviously we are sisters from across the border. I don’t get it. But with the Rockies 90 minutes from Calgary and some of the world’s finest skiing in that time frame, skiing is big here. Go figure. We’ll let them do their thing while we stay warm and relaxed. VBG

Louise, the older I get, the more I dislike winter. And yet, when those super large snowflakes fall gently from the sky or I wake up to sunlight glinting off the winter’s hoar frost on the trees, the icy roads and the freezing cold temps cease to matter … at least for a few hours. 🙂

Sheila, you said it! I’m so not a winter person. I’m totally a summer child, in love with sandals, walks on the beach, and breakfast on the patio. But winter has its own quiet, dark magic that can be peaceful if you listen for it.

Amen Janelle – sandals and bare feet are perfect. I did lots of work in Albuquerque for a few years. I was in and out of there every few months and even that wonderful city wasn’t conducive to sandals year round. I love NM, but I’m determined to retire somewhere warm.